1 Corinthians 14:13 BSB

1 Corinthians 14:13

Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

KJV

Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

⋯

Commentary

4 voices

Origen of Alexandria

COMMENTARY ON 1 CORINTHIANS 4.61-62 (253)

If the one who speaks in tongues does not have the power to interpret them, others will not understand, but he will know what he was moved by the Spirit to say. When this is understood by others as well, there will be fruit from it. Here as elsewhere, we are taught to seek the common good of the church.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

That these were different gifts, see ch. xii. Those might speak and understand a foreign language who could not readily translate it into their own: and yet was this necessary to the church's edification; for the church must understand, that it might be edified, which yet it could not do till the foreign language was translated into its own.

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

Albert Barnes

1798–1870

Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)

Pray that he may interpret - Let him ask of God ability that he may explain it clearly to the church. It would seem probable that the power of speaking foreign languages, and the power of conveying truth in a clear and distinct manner, were not always found in the same person, and that the one did not of necessity imply the other.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

Explain, "Let him who speaketh with a tongue [unknown] in his prayer (or, when praying) strive that he may interpret" [ALFORD]. This explanation of "pray" is needed by its logical connection with "prayer in an unknown tongue" (1Co 14:14).

Voices on this verse

loading…

Original language & word study

7 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
Διὸ	Dio	For	G1352 →
ὁ	ho	the [one]	G3588 →
λαλῶν	lalōn	speaking	G2980 →
γλώσσῃ	glōssē	in a tongue	G1100 →
προσευχέσθω	proseuchesthō	he should pray	G4336 →
ἵνα	ina	that	G2443 →
διερμηνεύῃ.	diermēneuē	he may interpret.	G1329 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
leads to
- Matthew 21:22
  If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
- 1 John 5:14–15
  And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
- 1 John 3:22
  and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight.
- James 1:5–6
  Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
- Matthew 18:19
  Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven.
Through
Acts 1:14
With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
leads to
- Acts 6:4
  and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
- Ephesians 6:18
  Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.
Through
1 Corinthians 12:10
to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
leads to
- 1 Corinthians 14:39
  So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

Featured studies on this passage

On 1 Corinthians 14:13

The Gifts of the Spirit — 1 Corinthians 12–14

Open the study →